HR985: HR985 Makhlouf, Very Reverend Father George Shukri; condolences

25 LC 129 0496 House Resolution 985 By: Representatives Romman of the 97th, Holly of the 116th, Frye of the 122nd, Park of the 107th, Lim of the 98th, and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of the Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf; and1 for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf passed on December 21, 2024,3 at the age of 81; and4 WHEREAS, he was a beloved father, devoted servant of God, a lov ing husband, and a5 tireless advocate for peace and justice; and6 WHEREAS, Very Reverend Father George's life was defined by unwavering faith, boundless7 love, and selfless service; and 8 WHEREAS, he was born in Palestine and was one of 750,000 Palestinian Nakba survivors,9 enduring the hardships of being orphaned and expelled from his home in West Jerusalem to10 Jifna in 1948; and 11 WHEREAS, Very Reverend Father George found refuge in the church and prayer,12 completing his theological studies at a Catholic seminary in Paris; and13 H. R. 985 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0496 WHEREAS, he began his professional journey as an educator at the Greek Catholic School14 of Our Lady of Annunciation in Ramallah, Palestine, and later a t the Ramallah Friends15 School; and 16 WHEREAS, in 1985, he answered the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Church of17 the Holy Sepulcher; and18 WHEREAS, Very Reverend Father George served faithfully at the O rthodox Church in19 Ramallah before immigrating to the United States, where he beca me pastor of the Virgin20 Mary Church in Yonkers, New York, and later served at St. John Orthodox Church on Long21 Island; and22 WHEREAS, in his later years, he continued his ministry as an ad junct retired priest at St.23 Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Atlanta, Georgia; and 24 WHEREAS, his wisdom, humility, and kindness touched countless l ives throughout his25 ministry; and26 WHEREAS, he dedicated his life to pastoral duties and to advocacy for justice and peace in27 his homeland, Palestine; and 28 WHEREAS, he represented Palestine on both local and international platforms, participating29 in numerous political and interfaith conferences; collaborating with political leaders, rabbis,30 imams, and religious figures of all faiths; and tirelessly rais ed his voice for the oppressed;31 and 32 H. R. 985 - 2 - 25 LC 129 0496 WHEREAS, his commitment to justice, equality, and the dignity o f all people formed the33 cornerstone of his legacy; and 34 WHEREAS, Very Reverend Father George is survived by his two sons, Shukri and Majeed;35 his brother, Joseph; his cherished nephews and nieces; and his seven beloved granddaughters,36 Raina, Isabella, Zaina, Arianna, Laila, Natalia, and Noelie, wh o brought light to his later37 years.38 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the39 members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of th e Very Reverend Father40 George Shukri Makhlouf and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized42 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the43 public and the press.44 H. R. 985 - 3 -